July 2004

More Sadness

July 20, 2004

The sad news comes this morning that Phil Calvert of the San Gorgonio Search and Rescue team has passed away from injuries suffered in Sunday's accident. Calvert and Scott Johnson's names will be added to the memorial slide show that will be shown at next year's MRA convention. Here is last year's MRA Memorial Slide Show.

Meanwhile the search that prompted the call has an added homicide investigation as police pursue the possibility of foul play.

Thank you and farewell

July 18, 2004

This morning brought the sad news of the passing of Scott Johnston, 30 of Redlands. Johnson was one of five people in a vehicle responding to Joshua Tree National Monument to continue the search for a missing hiker. The five were in a county Suburban and were hit head on by a Ford Ranger that crossed the center line.

The tragedy is a somber reminder to those who have dedicated a part of their lives to this wonderful pursuit just how dangerous it is. Even the most careful of responders counts on a great deal of good fortune in making it home each time they are called to serve. In the brief time that I too was a part of this wonderful line of service I can count many times were the safety margin was razor thin and perseverance and good fortune have more to do with the outcome than wide safety factors that all would like to claim.

CAPPAERT v. UNITED STATES, 426 U.S. 128 (1976)

July 17, 2004

CAPPAERT v. UNITED STATES, 426 U.S. 128 (1976) - 1976 Supreme Court decision affirming the Ninth Circuit that as of 1952 when the United States reserved Devil's Hole, it acquired by reservation water rights in unappropriated appurtenant water sufficient to maintain the level of the underground pool to preserve its scientific (426 U.S. 128, 129) value and thereby implement the Presidential Proclamation.

Anohter attack on states rights

July 13, 2004

As the people of the country wait for the Senate to once again take up the business of running the country (whilst they are currently debating removing civil rights from the constinution) comes word of another attack on states rights. The Bush Administration, after being elected on a platform of states rights, is now trying to strike down state law in Oregon.

In an unusual move Ashcroft asked the 9th circuit to rehear the case instead of taking the case before the Supreme Court. Could it be that the administration woul

Why content management fails

July 12, 2004

I came upon an article by Jeffrey Veen today that makes some very good points. In talking about the general lack of success with Content Management Systems he notes that websites are publications. Further, "all publications require editorial expertise."

His argument pertains particularly to companies and their web-sites. But, what about blogs?

I'll leave that as a rhetorical question today to be revisited soon.

What's in a name

July 12, 2004

Ken Salazar's website is Salazar for Colorado. Mike Miles' site is Miles for Senate.... I wonder who has the interests of the people of Colorado most in mind? A name says a lot about the aspirations held when it was chosen - its not an accident.

Miles campaign gets negative

July 12, 2004

I haven't been commenting much about the Colorado Senate race recently but an e-mail from Mike Miles campaign manager this morning struck me as one of the worst examples of the many gaffs that are made too often in politics. The email is below but allow me to comment. Point by point.

Firstly, if you want be known as the "underdog" then turning to the dirty politicking of calling anyone who endorses your opponent a "cowardly politico" is probably not the way to get started.

The missive then goes on to describe the efforts the "grassroots" campaign is undertaking to win the election. The thing is they are all the steps of a professional politician. Visiting the the campaign's website it is obvious that plenty of money is being poured into a flashy site while real content or innovation are not to be seen... Oh yes you say there is a "blog" section... with a single post from nearly a month ago. Wow that is innovative.

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